There's something magical about A Night at the Musicals that just keeps getting better with every edition, and this latest performance, A Night at the Jukebox Musicals, was no exception. Returning for three electrifying nights at the Ron Hurley Theatre, this show had everything: toe-tapping numbers, stunning vocal arrangements, and a live band that took the entire experience to new heights. This latest instalment brought an even bigger and better collection of jukebox musical hits, with songs from Moulin Rouge, American Idiot, Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, Priscilla, &Juliet and more. The stage was filled with upbeat hits, emotional solos, and dynamic group numbers.
The night opened with In the Air Tonight and Larger Than Life, setting a powerful tone with perfectly arranged harmonies that pulled everyone in. Under the expert musical direction of Michael Keen, the 4-piece band, consisting of drums (Peter Lavrencic), keys (Michael Keen), guitar/cello (Matthew Teackle), and bass (Bede Prince), added an extra layer of flexibility that gave the cast room to shine in ways we hadn’t seen before.
This show is always a blend of familiar hits and unexpected gems, with each performer bringing something unique to the stage. Cody Arthur’s rendition of You’ve Got a Friend stood out as one of the sweetest moments of the night. His upper range and melismatic control were beautiful, and his warm smile made it feel like he was singing directly to each of us. It was one of those performances that could turn a stranger into a friend—it was that kind of heartwarming. On the other hand, Spencer Cliff’s rendition of Always on My Mind brought a different kind of tenderness, brimming with raw emotion. His voice carried every word with a sincerity that really tugged at our heartstrings.
The surprises kept coming, with some of the lesser-known songs becoming instant favourites for me. Meg Hargraves’ Life on Mars was mesmerising—their voice flawless, delivering every note with precision and heart. In the performance of Up the Ladder to the Roof, Carly Wilson, Nykita O'Keefe, and Chelsea Sales delivered a heavenly gospel-like harmony that was truly uplifting and pure. This display of powerhouse vocals continued in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, where Carly and Bonnie Page formed a lively blonde-brunette duo, combining sassiness with playful energy. The duet of Torn between Laura Greenhalgh and Liam J O'Byrne was an absolute showstopper, striking all the right emotional chords and intensity.
By the time Bonnie led the Queen classic Somebody to Love, backed by the girls' stirring gospel harmonies, the show had soared to new heights. And speaking of soaring, Henry Kafoa's stunning rendition of Your Song—the first of FIVE Moulin Rouge selections—was breathtaking. With full orchestral backing (how? I have no idea), it felt grand, theatrical, and deeply moving.
The Moulin Rouge numbers exploded onto the stage in the second Act with Lady Marmalade and Crazy Rolling. It was as if we’d stepped right into a Moulin Rouge performance, with every note hitting just as hard as the real thing (I consider myself an expert having seen it twice). Jordan Twigg shone as the lead in Sparkling Diamonds, embodying Satine with radiance. It’s a role that fits her like a glove—her presence, her voice, just everything was spot-on. Then came Chandelier, which truly blew the roof off the theatre. The disco lighting and staging for this number were spectacular, creating a visual feast that matched the power of the performance. The group numbers kept delivering one hit after another. The quartet's rendition of Head Over Feet was beautifully executed, while 21 Guns took everyone by surprise with its raw power and intense harmonies, proving that this team can tackle any musical genre.
I can't forget the powerhouse talent of Chelsea Sales, who gave a remarkable performance of It’s All Coming Back to Me Now in a dazzling gown that matched her equally dazzling voice. Beggin', a highly under-appreciated song, performed by Laura with backing by the boys, stood out as my top choice of the night. And Nykita’s solo performance of One Moment in Time was a masterclass in storytelling—she poured her entire soul into that song, telling the story with her body as much as her voice. That’s the kind of deep connection to a song that not every performer can pull off, but Nykita nailed it.
Sophora Cliff belted out Foolish Games with her polished vocal talent that never fails to blow me away. Two other favourites from the performance included Liam’s cheeky gender-bent rendition of Does Your Mother Know, which served as the perfect party anthem, and Carly’s Holding Out for a Hero, which was pure Fairy Godmother magic (yes, I'm aware it's from Footloose). Bonnie and Jordan's duet of You Haven't Seen the Last of Me was an unexpected gem, giving this Cher classic the spotlight it deserves. Their voices complemented each other to create a blend that was both fierce and moving. It was one of those moments that made you realise just how much talent this cast has to offer.
Known for his comedic timing and light-hearted roles, Alex Watson delivered a surprisingly tender and heartfelt performance of I Honestly Love You that showcased a more vulnerable side of his talent. His voice carried the emotion of the song so beautifully that it felt like a moment of stillness amidst the energetic numbers. Led by Jordan's slow and stunning vocals, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow moved gently and thoughtfully, giving the audience a moment to breathe and simply take in the beauty of the six combined voices; like a warm hug for the ears. Featuring the sound of a pipe organ that infused the song with an ethereal essence, Henry and Meg, harmonised exquisitely in Who Wants to Live Forever, moving from delicate to electric; a striking fusion of musical elements.
As if the show couldn’t get any better, the finale of Roar brought the house down with confetti cannons and Nykita belting out those closing notes. The energy was through the roof as the audience jumped to their feet for the ABBA classics Thank You for the Music/Dancing Queen, a joyous ending to an unforgettable night.
There wasn't a single weak link in this show. Every song felt polished and every performer contributed something special. The selection of songs offered something for everyone, with a balance of crowd favourites and hidden gems. The cast, a mix of returning talent and brilliant newcomers, delivered one flawless performance after another.
For future performance, I have one tiny suggestion to consider - adding an MC or two. While I understand that you may need to cut a song for time, I think including an MC could greatly enhance the transitions between numbers. With the comedic talents of performers like Liam, Cody, Alex, and of course the consistently hilarious Sophora, they could bridge that awkward time in between numbers when the band is switching instruments or the microphones are being set. They could offer the audience some insight into the song choices, the context of the number within the musical, or even share some info about the performers themselves. Having that extra layer of interaction would add even more depth to an already brilliant experience.
This was musical theatre at its most fun and vibrant—and I can’t wait to see what they do next in 2025!
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